Transit Advocate

The Riders Transportation Access Group (RTAG) advises the MBTA on concerns of customers with disabilities and seniors, with a focus on accessibility, including bus, subway, commuter rail, and RIDE services. The group is comprised of individuals with disabilities, seniors, and representatives of disability and senior advocacy organizations. It was formed to carry on the critical advocacy for equal access done by plaintiffs in the ADA lawsuit Joanne Daniels-Finegold, et al, v. MBTA.

The Transit Advocate’s role supports RTAG operations. Expectations include timely communication with RTAG principals; active outreach with both individuals and organizations to grow and diversify RTAG’s membership; hands-on work with the RTAG executive board on planning and transportation issues; serving as a liaison between RTAG and the MBTA; and assisting with RTAG communications. This position will include occasional evening and weekend work. Active technical assistance and administrative support is provided by BCIL.

The Boston Center for Independent Living is a frontline civil rights organization led by people with disabilities that advocates to eliminate discrimination, isolation, and segregation by providing advocacy, information and referral, peer support, skills training, PCA services, and transitional services to enhance the independence of people with disabilities.

BCIL serves a very diverse clientele, and our staff reflect much of that diversity. All applicants are welcome.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Promote efforts to strengthen, grow, and diversify the RTAG membership, work to recruit, engage, and provide support to members of RTAG. This will include 1:1 meetings with existing and potential members, outreach to community organizations, and the creation and execution of member leadership development plans.

Provide outreach to community organizations and universities in the MBTA service area to help foster community engagement.

Provide information to RTAG members about travel instruction services and outreach, through the MBTA’s Mobility Center and other means, about those services to the disability community and to older adults.

Attend community outreach events with the MBTA.

Assist RTAG coordinator to facilitate strategic planning and consensus-building with the RTAG executive board in response to emerging and ongoing relevant transit policy issues.

Serve as a liaison between the MBTA (System Wide Accessibility, The Ride) and adjacent departments) and RTAG to facilitate collaborations.

Compile and track an annual work plan with the RTAG Coordinator.

Support the RTAG coordinator with planning and facilitating monthly RTAG general meetings.

Attend MBTA board meetings and report back to RTAG any public concerns raised.

Follow up one-on-one with riders who raise systemic issues to ensure these concerns are fully understood and to determine next steps (e.g., whether other riders are experiencing similar problems).

Accompany RTAG Executive Board members to accessibility training for buses, light rail, and heavy rail.

Support the RTAG coordinator with organizing and facilitating quarterly working groups on topics such as wayfinding, outreach, blind/low-vision experiences, stop announcements, and more.

Provide information and updates for the RTAG coordinator to distribute through the regular RTAG newsletter.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications:

Professional experience in disability services/advocacy and transportation services/advocacy.

Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act or ability to quickly learn.

Commitment to independent living philosophy.

Lived experience as a member of the population to be served.

Knowledge of community organizing practices, including outreach methods, leadership development, and strategic planning.

Ability to facilitate meetings, both virtually and in person, that ensure a broad range of experiences are honored while moving a group to consensus.

Familiarity or willingness to learn about digital accessibility.

Ability to maintain accurate records and exercise discretion in handling confidential information.

Ability to manage multi-phase projects from inception to completion.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and multi-task among competing priorities.

Ability to work independently.

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Ability to work occasional nights and weekends.

Ability to travel throughout the BCIL service area serviced by the MBTA on busses, subway, commuter rail and paratransit vehicles.

Bilingual skills are a plus.

Equipment Operated:

Computers, copiers, scanners, printers, and other office equipment/programs. Proficiency with various mobile devices and applications.

Working Environment:

The office consists of private and shared offices along with cubicles. Verbal communication can be heard from other staff. May include occasional evening and weekend hours for participation in MBTA-related meetings and events. Will need to be in the office or field much of the time. After probationary period, may be able to establish a schedule that includes a limited work-from-home option.

Hours: 40 Hours – Full Time

Benefits:

2 weeks’ paid vacation (increases with length of service) with potential to add time based on relevant professional experience.

2 personal days, 13 holidays, 12 sick days

Medical, dental, vision insurance (75% paid by agency). Short-term disability, long-term disability, group life insurance 100% company paid.

Optional FSA medical and dependent care accounts, critical care insurance and additional life insurance available (employee paid).

403b retirement accounts available.

MBTA Perc to Work Program

Salary: $55,000. Language differential available for those speaking languages identified by BCIL that are used by consumers.

Email cover letter and resume

Reasonable accommodation is provided as needed for employees and other affiliates. Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE) checks are part of BCIL’s standard procedure.